wrote:
On May 20, 8:57 am, JJ Sinclair wrote:
Why did the tongue crack and why there? I don't wish to start the
great tongue debate again, but its my firm belief that the hand brake
hits when entering or exiting gas stations and that leaves the weight
of the tow vehicle pulling down on the toungue. What type tow vehicle
do you have, motor-homes with long overhangs are particularly
susceptible.
JJ

wrote:
Hi everyone,
Upon my return home from Cordele I was shocked when I saw that the
tongue of the trailer had almost completely cracked off. Luckily I
noticed the crack while I was hooking up the trailer to tow the glider
from home to the airfield. The crack is just ahead of the hand brake
mechanism. I know other people have experienced simillar problems,
are there any other options apart from ordering replacement parts from
Europe?
Luke

I drive a 2000 Honda Accord, a 4 door sedan. The only explanation
that makes sense to me is what you describe, the bottom of hand brake
mount bottoming out and creating stress on the tongue just ahead of
the weld for the hard point.

I'm afraid JJ's wish won't come true!

Why do you and JJ think a crack is started by compressive forces? If the
problem is the tow vehicle pulling down on the tongue, shouldn't we
expect the crack to be on top?

The placement of the crack at a weld suggests fatigue cracking caused by
upward forces on the tongue. How many miles does the trailer have behind
the Honda? How many miles behind what other types of vehicles?

If the Honda is theonly vehicle used to tow it, and the trailer has less
than, say, 40,000 miles, I'd suspect a defective tongue. Perhaps the
weld was improperly done. In any case, start out by contacting the
trailer manufacturer for an explanation and a recommended cure. You
might even be offered a replacement at a very good price, as some
manufacturers really stand behind their products.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
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